Modesto Police Department News Release

Modesto Police to Combat Roadway Death and Injuries with DUI Checkpoints

NEWS RELEASE

Date: October 14, 2013

Modesto Police Department

Media Relations

Office of the Chief of Police

600 10th Street, Modesto, Ca. 95354

Author: Heather Graves

MODESTO POLICE TO COMBAT ROADWAY DEATHS AND INJURIES

WITH DUI CHECKPOINTS

Modesto, CA - Modesto Police Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for an anti-DUI program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on City of Modesto roadways.Enforcement measures to combat impaired driving are coming as a result of a recent $93,788.00 grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety to the City of Modesto. The Modesto Police Department is dedicated to keeping our streets safe through both enforcement and education.

“We are grateful to once again receive this important grant,” said Captain Rick Armendariz, who oversees the Modesto Police Operations Division. “These funds will be used support initiatives that focus on enhancing safety on our roadways.”

The special DUI Checkpoint grant is to assist in efforts to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug related collisions in the community.The grant activities will specifically target impaired driving offenders as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving.When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

Drunk and drugged driving are among America’s deadliest crimes. In 2011, a modern day low of 774 people were killed and over 24,000 injured in alcohol and drug-impaired crashes in California.Last year, the City of Modesto experienced 1 killed and 92 injured in these tragic crashes.Crashes involving alcohol have been shown to drop by up to 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough. Checkpoints have proven to be the most effective of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent and are supported by nearly 90 percent of California drivers.

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding criminal activity to please call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636.Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a message to 274637.Just type “TIP704” along with your message.